Jorge Martin’s push to possibly free himself from his Aprilia MotoGP contract by the end of 2025 has brought him back to a pivotal moment in his career sooner than anticipated.
Such a decision logically implies that he has a definitive alternative destination in mind. However, which of the current MotoGP manufacturers would be a suitable enough option to warrant such a significant change?
The ‘No Way’ Pair
A return to either the KTM or Ducati teams seems unlikely for Martin. The former is entirely implausible, while the latter, though not impossible, feels far-fetched.
After Martin departed the KTM lineup in 2021 to join Ducati, it marked a complete severance of ties. Although past achievements can sometimes mend relationships, the current landscape makes a partnership with KTM an ill fit for Martin. KTM’s recent performance improvement with the 2025-spec RC16, notably with Maverick Vinales, doesn’t overshadow their significant financial uncertainties and inability to attract top-tier talent.
Point of No Return
Martin and his manager, Albert Valera, might opt to see out the Aprilia deal due to legal or image reasons, or perhaps reassess the bike’s potential. However, for their partnership to flourish would be unprecedented. Martin’s current position signals a lack of confidence in a program already suffering due to his injuries, making it unviable to compete effectively under such circumstances.
At Least Worth Exploring
The two-engine Yamaha initiative has garnered attention, despite its current roster being locked in through 2026. Reportedly, there’s interest in Toprak Razgatlioglu, particularly concerning Pramac Yamaha, and Enea Bastianini’s name has also emerged as a potential candidate.
While the Pramac lineup includes Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira, it’s crucial for Martin to at least inquire about a possible ‘1+2’ deal with Yamaha—spending one year back at Pramac followed by two years in the factory team alongside Fabio Quartararo. While Yamaha might consider it, Martin’s reluctance to accept a satellite role may hinder negotiations.
The Obvious Choice
Realistically, the Yamaha option seems less viable and may just be a strategy Valera presents to Honda to show Martin’s leverage. Honda should be Martin’s primary target as their RC213V motorcycle has shown improvement, and with Johann Zarco aging, there’s potential for Martin to fill a significant void.
Given Honda’s financial capacity and motivation to succeed, Martin’s resignation from Aprilia due to injury should catalyze his transition. With 2026 likely seen as a lost season, the aim would be to begin the next rules cycle on a strong footing in 2027.
It could be wise for Honda to wait and assess Martin’s post-injury performance, but it remains uncertain if he will race for Aprilia again.
